Abbott turns to Turnbull

Opposition leader Tony Abbott says he will use former leader Malcolm Turnbull to convince Australia's independent MPs to abandon Labor and support a minority coalition government.

Abbott said he did not want another election but there was no reason there could not be a "baton change" early in the Government.

Historically, it has not happened since 1941, after two independents helped Robert Menzies' United Party form a Government after a hung Parliament in 1940.

The pair then turned their support to Labor's John Curtin.